The Washington Capitals will look to continue their momentum Sunday night when they visit the Nashville Predators. The Caps are coming off a 5–1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and will attempt to earn consecutive victories against Western Conference opponents.
To secure another two points, they’ll need to do so without alternate captain Tom Wilson, who appears likely to miss a fourth straight game.
According to the Washington Post’s Bailey Johnson, Wilson participated in Sunday’s morning skate but has yet to switch out of the light blue no-contact jersey that he’s worn since suffering a lower-body injury against the Blackhawks last week. Wilson remains on injured reserve.
Outside of Wilson’s probable absence, head coach Spencer Carbery indicated pregame that the team was working through a few other issues before puck drop. “Won’t give you anything definitive, but there won’t be a ton of changes from last game,” he said.
Charlie Lindgren will return to the Capitals’ net for his first start since he made 41 saves in a 7-4 win against the Anaheim Ducks last week. The 31-year-old netminder is riding a two-game winning streak, after also downing the New York Rangers 6-3 on New Year’s Eve.
In two career appearances against the Predators, Lindgren is 0-2-0 with a 3.10 goals-against average and a .864 save percentage. Overall this season, Lindgren is 7-4-2 with a 3.13 goals-against average, a .890 save percentage, and one shutout. According to MoneyPuck, he has saved 0.1 fewer goals than expected this season, which ranks 45th among all NHL goalies.
The Predators are coming off a 3-0 shutout loss to the Blackhawks on Saturday night, but they have been in better overall form lately. They have won six of their last 10 games and are just four standings points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card playoff spot in the West.
